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What happens to wind turbines when they reach end-of-life? They might soon be getting a new life as SEM and the University of Edinburgh are collaborating on extracting rare elements from these spent turbines, as reported by ReNews.
The new technique will target rare metals combined with steel to make the turbines. These include niobium, tantalum, and rhenium, all mined with methods that harm the environment. However, their function in strengthening alloys makes them critical in turbine manufacturing.
The project between SEM and the University of Edinburgh is funded by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC). It will help manufacturers make new turbines from old ones instead of importing mined materials. The UK currently has no means of extracting these rare metals.
SEM’s DRAM technology works as a filter that makes the process sustainable. It uses co-products from malt whisky distillation. DRAM was initially created to mine metals from waste electronics safely.
Dr. Liz Fletcher, director of business engagement at IBioIC, said, “SEM is a great example of a business taking a bio-based process and applying it to multiple sectors to help companies achieve environmental goals.
“By joining forces with academic experts, SEM has developed potentially game-changing processes for sustainably treating various types of waste. Recycling at an industrial scale will be key to achieving net zero, while also reducing the carbon footprint and environmental damage associated with imported raw materials.”
Renewable Brief 